MLB Pipeline continued their series of the top ten prospects by position on Friday. Pipeline ranked Endy Rodriguez and Henry Davis as two of the top ten catchers on Wednesday. The Pirates also had two players make the second base list, led by their 2022 first round pick.
Termarr Johnson was rated as the best second baseman in baseball on the new list. The fourth overall draft pick from 2022 put up solid stats during his brief time in Low-A Bradenton this past year at 18 years old. He will still be 18 when the 2023 season opens. He was recently named as the second best prospect for the Pirates by Baseball America.
Johnson received a 70-grade for his hit tool, with another comp to Wade Boggs in his brief write-up. While Johnson swings harder than Boggs ever did, the comp is about his plate discipline, where Boggs is the gold standard for hitters.
Johnson also received praise as having the best power among the second base prospects, as well as the best fielding. He has played a lot of shortstop, so that helps with the defensive rating at second base. Pipeline also has him as having the highest ceiling, calling him a possible perennial All-Star.
Johnson wasn’t the only Pirates player on the list. Nick Gonzales ranked as the eighth best second base prospect. There are no extra details on his placement, as Johnson gained many of the highlights for the article. Gonzales missed much of the 2022 season with a heel injury, plus he got off to a slow start. He finished up by hitting .286/.408/.505 in 28 games after returning in mid-August, then went on to hit .279/.351/.500 in 18 Arizona Fall League games.
